Reduce back to school chaos by creating easy to maintain stations. Applying a few simple systems can save hours of frustration. Every item must have a place to live for the home to be organized and setting up a few simple systems can make your days run much smoother. It’s important to set up systems from the beginning of the school year to avoid the chaos the changing of seasons.
Family Communication Station
The center of any good communication station is the calendar. For a family calendar it to be effective it must include the activities of every family member. This can be done by using one big calendar with large squares or you can provide a separate calendar for each member of the family. Adding a bulletin board and dry erase board for notes and lists will complete your station.
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Lunch Packing Station
Setting up a lunch packing station will save you time and energy each day and make packing lunch more enjoyable. Select an area of your kitchen where you can store all items needed to pack your lunch, including lunch boxes, utensils, napkins and plastic baggies. You can also set up a container in your refrigerator with pre packed snacks like carrot sticks that can be used for lunch or snacks on the go.
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Backpack Station
This station is designed so that the kids have a specific place for their backpacks as they enter the home. For the system to be effective it’s important to provide separate hooks set at the height of each child. Dropping those papers that need signing in a bin above the hooks is a great way to jog your memory and save time.
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Homework Station
A designated area to study with a specific place for everything is a great way to make homework more enjoyable. It’s best to find an area with few distractions with stationery supplies available within arm’s reach. The chair should be comfortable and at the correct height for your child and proper lighting is a must so your child’s not straining their eyes while they work.
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Darla Pompilio
Your Tasks – Our Time, Inc
